In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Leave about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan for cooking the beef.
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
Add the ground beef to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Brown the beef until it’s no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
3. Add the Vegetables:
Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
4. Deglaze with Beer:
Pour in the beer and stir, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the beer simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Make the Sauce:
Stir in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
6. Add Bacon:
Stir the cooked bacon back into the beef mixture, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a splash of beer or water to reach your desired consistency.
7. Assemble the Sloppy Joes:
Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe filling onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese).
8. Melt the Cheese:
Place the assembled sloppy joes under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese, or simply cover with a lid for a minute or two until the cheese melts.
9. Serve:
Place the top half of the buns on the sandwiches and serve immediately. These are perfect with a side of crispy fries, chips, or a simple salad.
